This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Ellen Pompeo Calls The Emmys Racist

People had lots of problems with Sunday night's Emmy Awards. Some thought it was a snoozefest; others felt it handed out awards to people that didn't necessarily deserve them (ahemJeffDaniels). But Ellen Pompeo took a different angle: In an interview yesterday, she called the show racist. According to USA Today, the 43-year-old actress had this to say:
"I didn't see any diversity in the Emmys at all. The Emmys felt so dated to me...That dance number was embarrassing. Did you see one person of color in that dance number?"
It's not clear whether the dance number she was referencing was the one choreographed by nominees for the category of Best Choreography, or the "gold dancers" number, featuring men dressed in gold and host Neil Patrick Harris.
In her interview, Pompeo added a little humblebrag, noting that her show, "Grey's Anatomy," is quite diverse.
"I'm extremely proud of our very, very diverse cast, which represents the world that I walk around in every day," she said, according to Us Weekly.
The Emmys drew 17 million viewers, according to the New York Times. Viewership was up from recent years.